Image-capture apparatus including light-guiding element having inclined surface

ABSTRACT

An image-capture apparatus includes an imaging element, a display, and a light-guiding member having an inclined surface, where the light-guiding member is disposed so that a portion of the light-guiding member having a reduced thickness at the inclined surface is disposed behind the imaging element. The light-guiding member reflects light to be applied to the display at the inclined surface and guides the light to the display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to image-capture apparatuses. Inparticular, the present invention relates to an image-capture apparatussuch as an electronic camera which includes a display.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hitherto, electronic cameras have been developed in which images arephotoelectrically converted by imaging elements such as charge-coupleddevices (CCDS) instead of recorded on films, and photoelectricallyconverted image data are recorded on internal solid memories ordetachable recording media.

Conventional electronic cameras include color liquid crystal panels asmonitors, which may be used for reproducing and displaying capturedimages, or alternatively, as viewfinders for displaying imagesphotoelectrically converted by the imaging elements.

A known electronic camera shown in FIG. 3 includes a camera body 21, animage-pickup lens unit 22, an imaging element 23 which is, for example,a CCD for converting incident light from an object through theimage-pickup lens unit 22 into an electrical signal, and animaging-element-holding plate 24 for holding and fixing the imagingelement 23 to the image-pickup lens unit 22. The known electronic cameraalso includes a liquid crystal panel 25, and a backlight 26 disposedbehind the liquid crystal panel 25 for supplying light to the liquidcrystal panel 25. In the illustrated embodiment, the backlight 26 is aplane lamp illuminant at the overall surface thereof, e.g., by using aplanar cold-cathode tube. The camera further includes a memory card 27as a detachable recording medium, a connector 28 for affixing the memorycard 27, a battery 29, and a release button 30.

In the known electronic camera thus formed, a drawback has been found inthat it is difficult to reduce the thickness of a camera body in whichthe liquid crystal panel 25 and the backlight 26 are disposed behind theimaging element 23.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, an image-captureapparatus comprises an imaging element, a display, and a light-guidingmember having an inclined surface, disposed so that a portion of thelight-guiding member, which is reduced in thickness at the inclinedsurface thereof, is disposed behind the imaging element. Thelight-guiding member reflects light to be applied to the display at theinclined surface and guides the light to the display. The image-captureapparatus can be reduced in thickness even when the display is disposedbehind the imaging element.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description of the preferredembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view from the top of the camera shown in FIG. 1;and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a known camera.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments according to the present invention are describedin details as follows with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic camera according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a camera body 1, and an image-pickup lens unit 2 positionedsubstantially at a center of the camera body 1. An imaging element 3,such as a charge-coupled device (CCD), is disposed behind theimage-pickup lens unit 2. The imaging element 3 receives light incidentfrom an object through the image-pickup lens unit 2, and converts thelight into an electrical signal as an image signal. Animaging-element-holding plate 4 holds the imaging element 3 and fixesthe same to the image-pickup lens unit 2. A rectangular liquid crystalpanel 5 is disposed behind the imaging element 2, and displays an imageformed in accordance with the image signal, which is an electricalsignal photoelectrically converted by the imaging element 2. The liquidcrystal panel 5 is disposed so that longitudinal sides (edges) of theliquid crystal panel 5 are oriented in a horizontal direction of thecamera body 1. A light-guiding plate 12 guides light emitted fromwhite-light emitting diodes (white LEDs) 6 a, 6 b, 6 c, and 6 d to theliquid crystal panel 5. The light-guiding plate 12 is formedsubstantially in the same shape (plan view) as that of the liquidcrystal panel 5, and is disposed/oriented so that the longer sides andthe shorter sides of the light-guiding plate 12 substantially overlapthe longer sides and the shorter sides, respectively, of the liquidcrystal panel 5. White LEDs 6 a, 6 b, 6 c, and 6 d are soldered to asubstrate 11 and provided at a shorter side (vertical edge) of thelight-guiding plate 12. The liquid crystal panel 5, the white LEDs 6 (6a-6 d), the substrate 11, and the light-guiding plate 12 are held as aunit by a holder 13, and are disposed behind the image-pickup lens unit2 and the imaging element 3. A memory card 7 is a detachable recordingmedium. A connector 8 affixes the memory card 7. A battery 9 is disposedat a side of the image-pickup lens unit 2. A release button 10 isdisposed at the upper side of the camera body 1.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view from the top of the electronic camera shownin FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the light-guiding plate 12 is formed in awedge-shape such that the surface thereof opposite the liquid crystalpanel 5 is inclined so as to form an inclined surface 12 a which isinclined (tapered) in a horizontal direction of the camera body 1; thelight-guiding plate 12 is thicker at the side of the light-guiding plate12 adjacent the white LEDs 6 a, 6 b, 6 c, and 6 d, and is thinner at theother side. The light-guiding plate 12 thus forms a rectangularwedge-shaped prism. The thicker side of the light-guiding plate 12 isdisposed at a side face of the camera body 1 together with the whiteLEDs 6 a, 6 b, 6 c, and 6 d, and the thinner side of the light-guidingplate 12 is disposed behind (including right back portion of) theimaging element 3 and in front of the liquid crystal panel 5. That is,the light-guiding plate 12 is disposed so as to be sandwiched by theimaging element 3 and the liquid crystal panel 5, and is received in theholder 13 together with the liquid crystal panel 5. Light emitted fromthe side of the light-guiding plate 12 by the white LEDs 6 a, 6 b, 6 c,and 6 d is reflected at the inclined surface 12 a and is applied to theoverall (entire) back face of the liquid crystal panel 5. In the aboveconfiguration, a rearward projection of the imaging element 3 isaccommodated (received) by a space formed at the thinner part of thelight-guiding plate 12. Therefore, the image-capture apparatus can bereduced in thickness even when the liquid crystal panel 5 is disposedbehind the imaging element 3.

The holder 13 is provided with a hole (cut-away part) 13 a formed in theholder 13 in a position at the back of the imaging-element-holding plate4. The rearward projection of the imaging element 3 is also accommodated(received) by the hole 13 a of the holder 13 when theimaging-element-holding plate 4 is received in the hole 13 a, wherebythe image-capture apparatus can be further reduced in thickness.

In the above configuration, incident light from an object is received bythe imaging element 3 through the image-pickup lens unit 2, is convertedinto an electrical signal which is processed by a signal processingcircuit (not shown), and is displayed as an image on the liquid crystalpanel 5.

Image-capturing starts when a user presses the release button 10 (seeFIG. 1), and the analog image signal input to the imaging element 3 isconverted to a digital signal and is recorded on the memory card 8.

According to the present embodiment of the present invention, animage-capture apparatus is provided in which the thickness of theimage-capture apparatus can be reduced even when the display is disposedbehind the imaging element.

The individual components shown in schematic or block form in thedrawings are all well-known in the camera arts and their specificconstruction and operation are not critical to the operation or bestmode for carrying out the invention.

While the present invention has been described with reference to whatare presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to beaccorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all suchmodifications and equivalent structures and functions.

For example, a cold-cathode tube may be used as a light source insteadof the white LEDs 6 a, 6 b, 6 c, and 6 d according to the presentembodiment. According to the present embodiment, when using thecold-cathode tube as a light source, the cold-cathode tube, whichgenerates relatively large noises, can be disposed remote from theimaging element 3 by disposing the cold-cathode tube at a shorter side(vertical edge) of the light-guiding plate 12, whereby the effect ofnoise from the light source on the imaging element can be reduced.

Although according to the present embodiment, a charge-coupled device(CCD) is used as the imaging element 3, an area light-receiving sensor,such as a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), or alight-receiving sensor, such as a line sensor, may be used as theimaging element 3.

Although according to the present embodiment, the rearward projection ofone part of the imaging element 3 is received in a space formed at thethinner portion of the light-guiding plate 12 and in the hole 13 a ofthe holder 13, the entire imaging element 3 may be received in the spaceformed at the thinner portion of the light-guiding plate 12 and in thehole 13 a of the holder 13.

The present invention may be carried out in the form of an independentapparatus which incorporates all or part of the claimed features andfeatures of the described embodiment. The invention may also be combinedwith another type of apparatus, or be incorporated in an apparatus so asto serve as a component thereof.

The present invention may be applied to various types of cameras such asan electronic camera for capturing still images and/or moving images, acamera using a silver-salt film, a single-lens-reflex camera, alens-shutter camera, and a surveillance camera. The invention also maybe applied to image-capture apparatuses, optical apparatuses, and thelike other than cameras, apparatuses used in these cameras,image-capture apparatuses, optical apparatuses, and other apparatuses,and components forming these apparatuses.

1. An image-capture apparatus comprising: an imaging portion comprisingan imaging element which changes a light signal into an electric signal;and a display portion comprising: a display element; and a light-guidingmember which has an inclined surface, wherein light which is emittedfrom a first side of said light-guiding member to a second side thereofis reflected by said inclined surface and guided to said displayelement, and a second side of said inclined surface is disposed behindsaid imaging element. wherein a back surface of said imaging portion isdisposed behind a front surface at the first side of said light-guidingmember of said display portion.
 2. An image-capture apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein at least one part of a portion of said light guidingmember having a reduced thickness is disposed directly behind saidimaging element.
 3. An image-capture apparatus according to claim 1,wherein a portion of said light-guiding member having a reducedthickness is positioned between said imaging element and said displayelement.
 4. An image-capture apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid display element is disposed behind said imaging element.
 5. Animage-capture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one partof said display element is disposed directly behind said imagingelement.
 6. An image-capture apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid imaging element comprises an area light-receiving sensor.
 7. Animage-capture apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said arealight-receiving sensor comprises a charge-coupled device.
 8. Animage-capture apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said arealight-receiving sensor comprises a complementary metal-oxidesemiconductor sensor.
 9. An image-capture apparatus according to claim1, wherein said display element displays images captured by said imagingelement.
 10. An image-capture apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid display element comprises a liquid crystal panel.
 11. Animage-capture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light-guidingmember guides the light to said display element so as to be appliedthereto from a back of said display element.
 12. An image-captureapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light-guiding member iswedge-shaped.
 13. An image-capture apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said light-guiding member applies the light to said displayelement from a part of said light-guiding member positioned at a shorterside of said display element.
 14. An image-capture apparatus accordingto claim 1, further comprising: a light source provided in saidlight-guiding member, for applying light to said display element from apart of said light-guiding member positioned at a shorter side of saiddisplay element.
 15. An image-capture apparatus according to claim 14,wherein said light source is provided in a portion opposite a portionhaving a reduced thickness at said inclined surface of saidlight-guiding member.
 16. An image-capture apparatus according to claim1, wherein said display element is formed in a rectangular panel havingshorter sides and longer sides, and said light-guiding member isdisposed along a lengthwise direction of the rectangular panel.
 17. Animage-capture apparatus according to claim 16, wherein saidlight-guiding member applies the light along the lengthwise direction ofthe rectangular panel of said display element.
 18. An image-captureapparatus according to claim 16, wherein said light-guiding member isformed in the same rectangular panel as said display element.
 19. Animage-capture apparatus according to claim 16, wherein saidlight-guiding member is disposed so as to overlap said display elementformed in the rectangular panel.
 20. An image-capture apparatusaccording to claim 16, wherein said inclined surface of saidlight-guiding member is formed in a direction of the longer sides ofsaid light-guiding member.
 21. An image-capture apparatus according toclaim 16, wherein said inclined surface of said light-guiding member isformed at a side of said light-guiding member facing said imagingelement.
 22. An image-capture apparatus according to claim 16, whereinsaid display element formed in the rectangular panel is disposed suchthat the longer sides of said display element are positioned opposingeach other in a vertical direction of said image-capture apparatus. 23.An image-capture apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: aholding member that holds said display portion and includes a cut-awaypart in which at least one part of said imaging portion is received. 24.An image-capture apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the cut-awaypart of said holding member is provided in a position corresponding to athinner part of said light guiding member. 25-27. (canceled)
 28. Animage-capture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said imagingportion is disposed in a manner such that at least a back of saidimaging portion is positioned in a space formed in the portion of saidlight-guiding member having a reduced thickness at said inclinedsurface.
 29. An image-capture apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid image-capture apparatus comprises a camera.
 30. An image-captureapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image-capture apparatuscomprises an electronic camera.
 31. An image-capture apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein said imaging portion includes a first holding memberwhich holds said imaging element, and said display portion includes asecond holding member which holds said display element and saidlight-guiding member.
 32. An image-capture apparatus comprising; animaging portion including an imaging element which changes a lightsignal into an electric signal; and a display portion having an inclinedsurface, said display portion including a display element and alight-guiding member which guides light to said display element, whereina back of said imaging portion is positioned in a space, a width of afirst side of said display portion is thinner than a width of a secondside of said display portion, and said space is formed in said firstside.
 33. An image-capture apparatus according to claim 32, wherein saidimaging portion includes a first holding member which holds said imagingelement, and said display portion includes a second holding member whichholds said display element and said light-guiding member.